Sharing God's Goodness and Love - Network One Heart. Winter 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sharing God’s
Goodness and Love
Network
Winter 2021
One Heart.
One Hope.
Sisters of Notre Dame
of the United States One Mission.
Sharing God’s
Goodness and Love
The Sisters of Notre Dame acknowledge that their charism more. “We also grow cucumbers. They are Sister Marie Manning’s
– a deep experience of God’s goodness and provident care favorite,” Gladys adds with a giggle. “We are currently planting rose
– motivates them to serve others through their unique gifts. bushes around the garden, and we grow other flowers, including
Sisters work with numerous organizations and social outreach sunflowers. We do not sell our produce. We invite people to take
programs, caring for pregnant women with little or no support, enough for their families and share with their neighbors. We do
feeding the hungry through parish ministries, offering religious accept donations which enable us to keep our garden organic.
education to children and adults, serving at the U.S. borders, The untreated wood and cement blocks used in the garden are
and so much more. However, the sisters are not alone in expensive. We also ask for a $10 membership fee for others who
experiencing this charism. Innumerable individuals are being want to garden here. We welcome people of all faiths.”
awakened to their spirituality through service to others.
“My faith motivates me,” Gladys emphatically states. “I have been
At age 87, Gladys Walcott shares the SND charism one seed at a charter member of my church, Mount Olivet Church of God,
a time. Gladys is a founding member of E. C. Grows Community in Cleveland, for 70 years. There, I have served as Sunday School
Garden, located at 15000 Woodworth Road in East Cleveland, teacher, usher, and am referred to as the ‘Church Mother.’ I am
Ohio. The thriving garden began 13 years ago when Gladys close to being the oldest person there.”
retired from public office as president of East Cleveland City
Council. Today, rather than a gavel, her tools of the trade include “Everyone can witness God’s goodness and love,” Gladys
hoes, spades, trowels, shovels and, of course, seeds. encourages. “At our community garden, we definitely could use
more volunteers to share God’s love! It’s good to teach and talk
“I was taking care of my parents and found myself falling in about the goodness of the Lord, but it’s better for people to see
a rut,” Gladys admits with a smile. “A friend invited me to a it in your life. I feel I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”
workshop about taking wasted, unsightly land in the city and
doing something good with that space. Well, I knew of a parking Gladys is not the only one using her unique gifts and
lot (overgrown with weeds as tall as me) across the street from circumstances in life to help others experience God’s goodness
the Coit Road Farmers Market. I, along with four others, asked to and love. Brendan Knapp, 17, a junior at Bay Village High School,
use the half-acre land for a community garden. The landowners volunteers at Blessing House, a children’s crisis care center,
agreed and donated the land for our use.” caring for children from newborns through age 12 whose
parents or caregivers are experiencing a crisis or emergency
Motivated and encouraged, Gladys convinced passing truck and a high level of stress that might put their children at risk of
drivers to help clear the land. “It was an asphalt parking lot,” abuse or neglect.
she describes with a laugh. Soon, the small group was able to
construct five raised vegetable beds. A humble beginning. “When several opportunities arose to fundraise for or do
volunteer work at Blessing House, I immediately responded
Today, E. C. Grows Community Garden includes more than 40 because I am very aware of the blessings and comforts I
community volunteers who tend 65 to 70 raised garden beds. have received that others have not,” Brendan matter-of-factly
They grow everything from tomatoes, corn, all types of squash, explains. “In my own small way, I contribute to the bigger goal
beets, Swiss chard and other leafy greens to garlic, potatoes and of improving the lives of children and families who come to
Blessing House seeking safety, assistance and love – all things I do
not take for granted.”
Send correspondence to: Brendan has been involved in fundraising and volunteering at
Network Blessing House through Saint Raphael Parish in Bay Village, Ohio
Sisters of Notre Dame since 2017. His service includes making repairs, re-landscaping
13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024 the yard and outdoor play areas, moving furniture, speaking at
www.sndchardon.org Mass, and organizing various fundraising events, including a
440.286.7101 basketball tournament for Blessing House.
On the cover: Gladys Walcott shares the SND charism
one seed at a time at E. C. Grows Community Garden.
2 Sisters of Notre Dame | Network WINTER 2021
“In my own small way, I contribute to the
bigger goal of improving the lives of children
and families who come to Blessing House
seeking safety, assistance and love – all
things I do not take for granted.”
— Brendan Knapp, 17, a junior at Bay Village High School
Brendan Knapp working alongside Sister Mary Berigan at Blessing House
“I feel by offering my time and making myself available to he states. “As an adult, I see the sisters moving beyond
whatever needs come up, I am letting God lead me and teach education and actively participating in the community – as
me. I may not know the next urgent need at Blessing House, members of the Hunger Task Force Board, WomenSafe Board,
but I know I want to assist Sister Mary Berigan and Blessing working with the cancer support group, fighting human
House. I would encourage other teens to do so whenever the trafficking, assisting immigrants, and so much more.”
call comes,” says Brendan. “As the Volunteer Coordinator of High
School Ministry at St. Raphael Parish, I am ready to respond and Andy says the Sisters of Notre Dame have served as role
trust that my actions will make work easier for the Blessing House models throughout his life. “They taught me, as a child, that
staff as well as improve the lives of the kids who come there.” learning can be fun. As an adult, I have experienced the
broader range of their charism and outreach. People do not
Another individual impacted by the Sisters of Notre Dame and realize all they do in this community, and it is done with
their charism is Andy Bushman, Munson Township Trustee humility and care. I hope to continue their mission through
in Geauga County. “I go way back with the Sisters of Notre my service to their congregation and my community. The SND
Dame,” exclaims Andy with a smile. “My entire family attended mission has become the ‘Bushman Way!’”
Saint Mary Elementary School in Chardon, Ohio. I heard stories
about the Sisters of Notre Dame as a child. In first grade, I had Another individual impacted by the Sisters of Notre Dame is
Mrs. Koesel as my teacher. Her daughter is a Sister of Notre Aaron Calton. While serving as an alumni volunteer at St. Ignatius
Dame. Sister Mary Antoinette taught me catechism. My oldest High School, the 28-year-old is currently taking a year to discern
sister’s best friend in school was Sister Janet Helphrey. Those with the Jesuits whether a religious vocation is in his future.
are just a few of many family connections.” Prior to this year, Aaron taught Theology and was the Director of
Service Ministry at Trinity High School. Aaron is currently living in
Andy says that as a child, his perception of the Sisters of Notre community with other alumni volunteers. His volunteer activities
Dame was that their whole mission was education. “They include helping with Stockings for Christ, Zelie’s Home, and the
provided an excellent Catholic education for their students,” Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry at St. Ignatius.
continued on page 4
www.sndchardon.org 3
Sharing God’s Goodness and Love
continued from page 3
“Through the history of
He reflects on the role the Sisters of Notre Dame have played department. The SNDs the Church, religious
in his life. “I grew up attending St. Augustine Parish in Tremont. are master teachers and
Sister Janet Kondrat worked at the church, and from a young encouraged young teachers orders come and go, but
age, I witnessed her gentleness and openness to people,” like me.”
Aaron recalls. “Then, a few years ago, I met Sister Kate Hine and their mission never dies.”
recognized immediately someone who cared and wanted other Vicki, who has taught at
NDCL for the past 29 years, — Aaron Calton
people to know God. She helped me grow in my faith. She
never gave up on me.” describes her desire to serve
asylum seekers entering the
Aaron continues, “I really admire Sister Kate’s devotion to U.S. at the southern borders. “I first learned of La Posada from
bringing God to other people. She has such great joy. Then, Sister Karen Somerville. She came to speak to the NDCL faculty
in planning a Charis Retreat, I met many other Sisters of Notre during one of our teacher development days,” Vicki recalls. “I
Dame. In their Chardon Provincial Center, I saw a statue of Julie called her afterward to learn more about the work she did to
Billiart with her arms extended to heaven. At that moment, I help these refugees. I also spoke with Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane
knew that is what I wanted my life to be – completely open to about her experience at the border. I had been wanting to
God’s will.” do more service, but as a single parent, my priority was my
daughter. With Briana (NDCL ’18) working during the summer
“Through the history of the Church, religious orders come for money for college, I had more time available. I felt it was
and go, but their mission never dies,” Aaron states. He sees the something I SHOULD do.”
mission of the SNDs continuing through so many individuals
impacted by the sisters. She continues, “The Sisters of Notre Dame are helping the
religious order of Sisters of La Posada at the southern border,
Victoria Frabotta also embraces the SND mission in her own showing solidarity among the religious communities. With all the
life. Vicki graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Chardon, rhetoric being used, I wanted to experience the border myself.
Ohio in 1986. She states, “We were encouraged to be of service What I experienced was how much hope there is in the world,
to others as students. After I earned a master’s degree in despite all the pain and loss, for many immigrants and refugees
education, Sister Donna Paluf hired me to teach at NDCL in to get to this point. Just as there are slave stories and Holocaust
1991. There were more sisters working at the high school then. stories, there are immigrant stories. People arrived with just the
I worked closely with Sister Eileen Quinlan with the theatre clothes on their backs -- people who want the chance to learn
productions. She was a great mentor to me in the English the English language and work. All the immigrants and refugees
want is safety and freedom to earn a living and
Aaron Calton contribute to society. At La Posada, they are
treated with dignity.”
The passionate educator and mother
encourages others in the community to get
to know the SNDs and embrace and share in
their charism. “The Sisters of Notre Dame are
leaders in so many ministries,” Vicki describes.
“There is something for everyone. For me,
knowing they are involved is comforting,
almost like I’m visiting a relative’s home.”
If you would like to participate in the SND
charism by offering your own unique gifts,
please consider volunteering in one or more
of their ministries. Visit sndchardon.org to
learn more about how you can get involved.
Or simply contribute where you feel called
to in your own life. Expand the SND charism
through your own spheres of influence by
sharing your unique gifts with others.
4 Sisters of Notre Dame | Network WINTER 2021
A Lasting Tribute
SISTER KATHERINE MARY (formerly Sister Mary David Anne)
Born Katherine SKRABEC on April 16, 1936
Entered into religious life, September 8, 1954
Entered into eternal life, August 3, 2020
Katherine “Katie” was the Sister Katherine Mary earned a bachelor’s degree from St.
youngest of three girls born John College in Cleveland and an Advanced Catechetical
to Anthony and Mary (Pust) Diploma and Master of Arts degree in Religious Education
Skrabec. The family lived in from Notre Dame Institute in Middleburg, Virginia. She
Cleveland, in St. Vitus Parish. taught every elementary grade over the next 48 years.
When Katie was 10, her
mother died; six years later, She ministered at St. James and Christ the King Schools in
her father. Although deeply saddened, Katie experienced the Warren, OH; St. Agnes, Arlington, VA; St. Joseph Franciscan
loving care of her sisters and extended family. She graduated in Cleveland; St. Justin Martyr, Eastlake; St. Aloysius, East
from Notre Dame Academy in 1954 and responded to God’s Liverpool; St. Michael, Canton; and St. Joseph School in
invitation to religious life. At investment, she received the Winter Haven, FL.
name Sister Mary David Anne.
In 2006, she moved to the provincial center in Chardon,
immediately volunteering “wherever needed.” She spent
15 years working in the Archives, using her artistic skills to
create memorial photo albums featuring all the deceased
sisters of the province.
SISTER ANNAMAE (formerly Sister Mary Denismarie)
Born Anna Mae MURPHY on May 9, 1936
Entered into religious life, February 2, 1954
Entered into eternal life, September 24, 2020
Anna Mae was the youngest at St. Benedict School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel
of five children of Denis and School, Cleveland; St. Peter School, Canton; St. John
Margaret (Kelly) Murphy. School in Warrenton, Virginia; Our Lady of Victory School in
She attended Notre Dame Washington, DC; and at St. Peter School, Lorain.
Academy and four years later
became a postulant, attracted In 2003, she retired from active school administration, and
by the SND’s prayerfulness spent 16 more years at St. Peter’s, Lorain. She chaired the
and warmth. stewardship program, helped coordinate the hospitality
program and the Giving Tree, managed the extended day
Sister Annamae earned a bachelor’s degree in education and morning care program at the school, served on parish
from St. John College, Cleveland, and a master’s degree committees, and did pastoral counseling.
from John Carroll University in Cleveland Heights. She
taught primary and then junior high grades for 12 years In 2019, a steady decline in health brought her to the
in Warren, Cleveland, Elyria, Eastlake, and East Liverpool. provincial Healthcare Center.
She ministered as principal throughout the next 33 years
www.sndchardon.org 5A Lasting Tribute
SISTER MARY ROSE ANNE
Born Shirley Ann WEBB on November 17, 1929
Entered into religious life, September 8, 1949
Entered into eternal life, September 25, 2020
Shirley was the youngest of six Youngstown, Massillon, Avon, and Sheffield. She earned a
children of Arthur and Cecilia bachelor’s degree from St. John College, Cleveland, and a
(Archambeau) Webb. The master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati.
family moved from Michigan to She was an excellent teacher, and her leadership and mentoring
Cleveland, Ohio in 1941, where skills were recognized as she served as principal at Our Lady of
the children attended Immaculate Mount Carmel School, Cleveland; St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills;
Conception School. At St. Peter High School, Cleveland, she Holy Name School in Gulfport, Florida; and St. Paschal Baylon
majored in business and English and took as many science School, Highland Heights.
courses as she could. As she came to know the Sisters of Notre
Dame, she discerned her own vocation to religious life. She Upon concluding her time in administration, Sister Mary Rose
entered the community in 1949. At investment, she received the Anne taught 6th grade in various schools for another 14 years.
name Sister Mary Rose Anne. She was the computer coordinator and librarian at St. Thomas
the Apostle School, Sheffield Lake, for six years, and spent a
Just three years later, she was missioned to St. Gregory the Great dozen years as technology coordinator at St. Justin Martyr
School in South Euclid. She continued to teach intermediate School in Eastlake.
and junior high students at parish schools in Canton, Cleveland,
SISTER MARY DOREEN
Born Dorothy STRAHLER on March 23, 1929
Entered into religious life, February 2, 1947
Entered into eternal life, October 7, 2020
Dorothy was the fifth of eight taught each of the elementary grades, often two grades in one
children born to Raymond and room. She was a principal for 12 years, frequently teaching a
Stella (Oakes) Strahler. She grew class as well. Her assignments took her to schools in Youngstown,
up on the family’s large farm in Cleveland, Mentor, Chardon (all in Ohio) and to Arlington and
Randolph, Ohio. She attended Winchester, Virginia.
Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland,
as an aspirant, and became a She wrote more than 300 poems, the fruit of her keen
postulant in February of her senior year. At investment, she observation of the outer and inner world. Several were published
received the name Sister Mary Doreen. Her sister Loretta (Sister in magazines and books of poetry. Her exquisite needlework won
Merita) had joined the SND community a few years earlier; another prizes at the county fair. For 39 years she was a much-loved local
sister (Sister Sylvia, MMS) became a Medical Mission Sister. superior, coordinating schedules, arranging events, and seeing to
the daily needs of several hundred sisters.
Sister Mary Doreen received a bachelor’s degree from St.
John College in Cleveland, Ohio, and a master’s degree in In July 2018, Sister Mary Doreen became a resident of Notre
administration from St. Xavier College in Chicago, Illinois. She Dame Village Assisted Living, continuing to meet daily
spent more than 40 years in the ministry of education. She challenges with grace and graciousness.
6 Sisters of Notre Dame | Network WINTER 2021May our deceased sisters rejoice in God’s everlasting love.
SISTER MARY LAURETTE
Born Patricia KRAMER on December 16, 1930
Entered into religious life, February 2, 1952
Entered into eternal life, October 14, 2020
Born in Garfield Heights, Ohio to to the States for one year to earn her master’s in education at
Ned and Laura (Schmidt) Kramer, Cleveland State University. She served as classroom teacher and
Patricia was the youngest of principal, curriculum director, accreditation coordinator, teacher
three children. After completing supervisor, school counselor, and education coordinator for the
elementary school at St. Peter & Patna province. In 1970, she worked with three sisters and four
Paul Parish in Garfield Heights, she lay teachers to establish the Campus School at the University of
attended Notre Dame Academy, Agriculture and Technology in Patnagar, in the Himalyan region
Cleveland. She enrolled at St. John College to study elementary of Northern India.
education, becoming a postulant in Feb. 1952. At investment
she received the name Sister Mary Laurette. Sister Mary Laurette embarked on another 30-year journey
in 1991, integrating her spirituality and creativity as a DRE
By 1956 she was teaching 5th and 6th graders at schools in at St. Ann Parish, Arlington, VA; and at Annunciation, St.
Northeastern Ohio parishes, and in 1959, earned a BSE in Bernard, and St. John the Baptist parishes in Akron. She then
elementary education from St. John College. That same year, mentored teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas-St. Philip Neri
she learned that her offer to serve in the India Mission was Schools in Cleveland, and tutored adults at the legacy project
accepted. She arrived in India on her 30th birthday. For the on Ansel Road. At age 80, she was still sharing her zest for life,
next 30 years, Sister Mary Laurette’s educational ministry took volunteering at the Geauga Senior Center, SND prayer line, and
her to schools in Patna, Jamalpur, and Bangalore. She returned SND Health Care Center.
SISTER JEAN MARIE
Born Jean Marie DICK on January 31, 1927
Entered into religious life, September 8, 1944
Entered into eternal life, December 3, 2020
Jean Marie was the fifth child of administration at Catholic University of America, leading to a
William and Irene (Meiner) Dick. 32-year ministry as elementary school principal. She served at
With her 2 brothers and 2 sisters, St. Michael, Canton; St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls; St. Margaret
Jean Marie attended St. Cecilia Mary, South Euclid; St. Helen, Newbury; and Holy Angels School
School. After high school at Notre in Clearwater, Florida.
Dame Academy, Cleveland, Jean
Marie entered the Sisters of Notre When Sister Jean Marie retired from education, she volunteered
Dame, and at investment, received the name Sister Mary St. at Notre Dame Skills Lab as an administrative aide. In 1999 she
William, in honor of her father. moved to Chardon, and for 15 years she assisted in various
offices, drove sisters to appointments, and made pastoral visits
She earned a BSE from St. John College, Cleveland in 1953, and to the Health Care Center.
taught primary and middle grades over the next 20 years at St.
Stephen and Gesu Schools in Cleveland; St. Michael and St. Peter
Schools, both in Canton; and Campus School in Washington,
DC. In 1963, she completed her master’s in educational
continued on page 10
www.sndchardon.org 72021-2022 Calendar
Girl’s Night Out 2021
We are making plans to have it in October, 2021 when we can get out
and enjoy each other’s company!
Regina Alumnae Retreat–2021
Because of the Coronavirus, this year’s retreat has been cancelled.
Hopefully we can have it in 2022.
2020 Reunions 2021 Reunions
Class of 1960 Class of 1961
The reunion scheduled for June 6 was postponed until future notice. The reunion date is June 26, 2021 at Beth Ulery Parnin’s house. Contact
If you are not receiving emails, please send your email address to Beth at funwithfit@sbcglobal.com. More information will follow.
rhsalum@reginahigh.com to stay informed, or contact a friend
who gets our messages to keep you up to date. Class of 1966
Mary Judith Burdecki Fina is looking for volunteers to help with the
Class of 1970 reunion. Her email address is thatgirl@yahoo.com if you have any
ideas or would like to help.
Has been postponed. More information will follow.
Check the Facebook page-Regina@50 - ask Deborah Buckley to
friend you on Facebook to get on the page. QUESTIONS: Contact
Class of 1971
Deborah Buckley at djb215@gmail.com or 408-234-2962. 50 year reunion Class of `71
Several classmates have begun work on our 50th reunion. We are
hoping by October 22, 2021 the virus and vaccine will have made it
Class of 1975 possible to gather. If you are interested in helping or want to share
Regina High Class of 1975 - 45th Reunion your email or those of classmates, please text message one of us
Due to the coronavirus, we have postponed the reunion until listed below, (maiden names). Looking forward to seeing everyone
2021. We will be sending out a list of lost classmates to try to find next fall. Stay well.
their email addresses. Pam Koeth will post Facebook messages on Mary Sweeney 440-487-1236 Sue Loretta 440-488-2489
Regina High School Class of ’75. It is private, but one of us will let Carole Ferreri 440-463-1846 Jody Hummer 216-407-7568
you in. You can send email addresses to rhsalum@reginahigh.com
or Claudia.lund9@gmail.com. We will keep you posted. Class of 1976
With Covid calling the shots, we are in a pandemic holding pattern
Class of 1980 for planning. Mary Anne DeGrandis Baucco, Sue Dileno & Maureen
Stein-Vavro have started working on our reunion. If you are
Regina High Class of 1980 - 40th Reunion
interested, contact Mary Anne: madbaucco@sbcglobal.net.
Has been postponed until further notice. Please contact Pam Bell
Huth with your contact details. Class of 1996
Class of 2010 Class of 1996 will be planning a reunion for June, 2021, assuming all
is okay to proceed due to Covid. More information to follow. Julie
Postponed until 2021. More information will follow. Send your
Funk Lawrence has started working on the reunion. If you would like
information to RHSroyals2010@gmail.com.
to help or have any ideas contact her at julie@krunchfinancial.com.
Class of 2001
There is a group starting to make reunion plans. If you are interested
send your contact information to ReginaHS2001@gmail.com or
rhsalum@reginahigh.com.
Reunion for 2022 – the ‘2 and ‘7’s
You might think your reunion is a long way off, but planning usually
takes place the year before. The Alumnae Office will be happy to
help you in anyway-emails, addresses, suggestions where other
reunions have taken place, etc. Contact us at rhsalum@reginahigh.
com or phone-text 216-905-4851.
Please keep in contact and update your information, your home
addresses and email addresses. This helps the classes working on
reunions to get in contact with the whole class.
Congratulations to the first graduating class of Regina
on their 65th Anniversary – The Class of 1956.
8 Sisters of Notre Dame | Network WINTER 2021You can also read
